Active Japan: North to South Adventure

Welcome to Tokyo, Japan. There's no time to waste as you join your fellow travelers in the morning for a welcome briefing with your CEO and head towards the airport to board your flight to Memanbetsu airport in Hokkaido. Upon arrival, head to your hotel outside Shiretoko National Park and enjoy dinner together with your CEO and new travel mates. (A) Transport: Tokyo - Hokkaido (1.75h)Event: Anreise und Begrüßungstreffen (1.0h)Unterkunft: Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel

After a filling breakfast, depart the hotel en route to the Five Lakes area of Shiretoko National Park. This area is famous for its namesake five lakes that were formed years ago by the eruption of Mount Lou. The area now offers picturesque views of the mountains and the wilderness all around. In the afternoon, take a short walk to the Furepe Waterfall, a waterfall cascading into the Okhotsk Sea. (F) (A) Event: Furepe Waterfall (1.5h)Event: Shiretoko Five Lakes Hike (3.0h)Unterkunft: Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel

Another morning hike in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shiretoko Peninsula awaits. Embark on a guided three to four hour hike through the Primeval Forest area of the park. Be sure to bring binoculars if you are a keen animal enthusiast, as there is ample opportunity to spot various species from the Steller's sea eagle to Japanese deer. The scenery is equally as dramatic as you witness the cliff edges hang over the turquoise water of the sea. The afternoon is at leisure, and you can choose to relax at your hotel bathing facilities, or walk into the village area some 20 minutes away. (F) (A) Freizeit: ShiretokoEvent: Primeval Forest Hike (2.0h)Unterkunft: Shiretoko Daiichi HotelOptionale Ausflüge:Hot Springs Village (**)Shiretoko World Heritage Conservation Centre (**)

Depart the Shiretoko area this morning and head slightly inland towards Lake Akan. En route stop to visit active volcano Mt Lo, which sits inside the Kussharo caldera. Watch the sulfurous smoke and steam rise from the craggy landmass. From there continue on to the shore of Lake Kussharo, where you can take a moment to get your hands dirty digging into the sandy shore and actually hitting hot spring water. Dig your own personal Onsen! Yet another sign of the volcanic activity still present underground in this area. Make a final stop at the observatory deck to take in views of Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu before continuing on your overnight stay at a Ryokan. After a dinner with your fellow travelers, enjoy a cultural performance in tribute to the history of the local Ainu people of the region. Akan Yukar Lost Kamuy is a presentation of Ainu ancient ceremonial dance, contemporary dance and digital art. (F) (A) Event: Lake Mashu Observatory DeckEvent: Ryokan StayTransport: Shiretoko - Akan Mashu National Park (2.0h)Event: Sulphur Mountain & Lake KussharoEvent: Ainu Kotan - Ainu Culture DanceUnterkunft: New Akan Hotel

Enjoy a leisurely start to the morning to spend the morning hours enjoying the Ryokan hot springs a second time. Or choose to join your CEO for a walk around Lake Akan. Then make your way towards Asahikawa. Don't fill up too much during the day, because dinner this evening is the famous Asahikawa ramen. This ramen is famed throughout Japan as one of the best in the country. (F) (M) (A) Transport: Akan-ko - AsahikawaEvent: Ramen Dinner in AsahikawaUnterkunft: Hotel Amanek Asahikawa

It's time to rise and shine and strap on those hiking boots once again. This morning, head to the Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway. Board the ten minute gondola ride up to the start of the walk. Spend a couple of hours exploring the area on foot, and hope for glimpses of the mountain ranges as the fog comes and goes. (F) Event: Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway & Hike (1.5h)Unterkunft: Hotel Amanek Asahikawa

Sapporo, the capitol of Hokkaido, is home to some of the island's most interesting spots. With a day at leisure, choose to join your CEO to visit the Hill of the Buddha, a incredible and huge shrine. Or, choose to explore the Hokkaido Jingu shrine, a shinto shrine honoring 4 deities. (F) Transport: Asahikawa-eki - Sapporo StationFreizeit: SapporoUnterkunft: The B SapporoOptionale Ausflüge:Hokkaido Jingu Shrine (**)Hill of the Buddha (**)

Spend today getting well acquainted with the city of Sapporo, home of the world famous beer. Begin your day with a visit to the Nijo Market. Walk through the stalls full of fresh seafood, most caught right of the coast of Hokkaido. You'll see crabs, fish and things you may have never seen before like fresh urchin and fish eggs. Afterwards, head to the home of the first Japanese made beer, Sapporo Beer Museum, and sample beer that can only be found at this location. (F) Event: Nijo MarketEvent: Führung im Sapporo BiermuseumUnterkunft: The B Sapporo

Bid Sapporo and Hokkaido farewell and head southbound to Kyoto on a domestic flight. Upon arrival, the afternoon is at leisure and you can choose to join your CEO and fellow travelers for a dinner out in Kyoto. (F) Transport: Sapporo - KyotoUnterkunft: Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Shijo Omiya

Start your Kyoto based explorations with one of the iconic hikes outside the Kyoto downtown area. Hike from Kurama village to Kibune-two villages that mark the start and endpoint of the hike. As you wind your way through the canopied forest, visit the Yuki shrine and Kurama-dera temple. (F) Event: CEO-Led Hiking Tour from Kurama to Kibune (2.5h)Unterkunft: Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Shijo Omiya

The final day in Kyoto begins with the iconic visit to Fushimi Inari shrine. Walk for around 2 hours under the vibrant torii gates as you make your way along the various trails. Although this is a popular activity, it's worth it for the expansive views across Southern Kyoto. (F) Event: Wanderung zum Schrein Fushimi Inari-TaishaFreizeit: KyotoUnterkunft: Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Shijo OmiyaOptionale Ausflüge:Besuch der Burg Nijo und ihrer Gärten (**)Besuch des Kinkaku-ji ("Goldener Pavillon") (**)Zen-Garten des Ryoan-ji (**)

Let the island hopping begin. Board a domestic flight bound for Naha airport, in Okinawa. Naha is the main gateway for travelers in and out of Okinawa. Upon arrival, hop onto a private transport and make your way north towards Yanbaru National Park. This area is not popular on the tourist route due to its more remote location, and indeed feels a bit like a hidden gem. (F) (A) Transport: Kansai International Airport - Naha AirportFreizeit: KunigamiUnterkunft: Ada Garden Hotel

Embark on a guided walk through part of Yambaru Forest, spotting native flora and fauna on the Ibe-dake Forest Trail Trek. After a picnic lunch, head towards to the seaside and join your local guide on a guided sea kayaking excursion to Yasuda island. After a busy day, enjoy a dinner out together. (F) (M) (A) Event: Ibe-dake Forest Trail TrekEvent: Yanbaru Sea KayakingUnterkunft: Ada Garden Hotel

Another day, another island. Today, head even further south to Ishigaki island. Still part of Okinawa, Ishigaki technically sits closer to Taiwan than to mainland Japan. Join your CEO and fellow travelers for a delicious dinner sampling famous Okinawan ryori (food). (F) (A) Transport: Naha Airport - Ishigaki AirportFreizeit: IshigakiUnterkunft: Hotel Abianpana Ishigaki

In the Hirakubo Peninsula in northern Ishigaki, hop aboard a Sabani, the traditional Okinawan sailboat, and cruise along the shores of the peninsula. Hop into the water to snorkel if you choose, or just admire the stunning untouched environment. These boats are hand carved in the traditional way from hollowed logs, and only hold 6 persons per boat. Enjoy this rare opportunity to enjoy a piece of Okinawan cultural heritage. During the paddle, we'll jump out of the boat for a chance to snorkel out above the coral reef. (F) Event: Sabani BoatEvent: Snorkeling from the Sabani BoatFreizeit: IshigakiUnterkunft: Hotel Abianpana Ishigaki

The island hopping continues as you head west again towards Iriomote island. Spend the day kayaking in a mangrove area, spotting birds and local flora you can only find in this area. After an epic day exploring the island, choose to join your CEO and fellow travelers for a farewell dinner back in Ishigaki. (F) Event: Iriomote KayakTransport: Ishigaki - Iriomote-jimaTransport: Iriomote-jima - IshigakiUnterkunft: Hotel Abianpana Ishigaki

Just off the coast of the Ishigaki Port area is Taketomi Island, part of Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Surrounded by coral reef, the island is actually constructed of coral walls and structures, creating a unique architectural look within Japan. The central Ryukyu village is the most well known feature of the island, full of red tiled roof buildings and tropical flowers. There are plenty of ways to explore Taketomi, but in true G Adventures style we opt for a bicycle to be able to zip around and see as much as possible. (F) Transport: Ishigaki - TaketomiTransport: Taketomi - IshigakiEvent: Taketomi CyclingUnterkunft: Hotel Abianpana Ishigaki

Depart at any time. (F) ________Fahrplan-, Flugplan-, Hotel- und Programmänderungen bleiben ausdrücklich vorbehalten. (**) Von G Adventures organisierte Programme sowie Aktivitäten. Diese sind nicht im Reisepreis enthalten und müssen vor Ort gebucht werden. Änderungen vorbehalten.(F=Frühstück,M=Mittagessen,A=Abendessen)